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Since then, the Bombers embarked on an eight-game winning streak which ended last week, while the Eagles are now fifth and will most likely miss the post-season.

But the Bombers, who will travel to Bundaberg tomorrow to face fourth-placed Brothers Bulldogs, could actually benefit from the loss.

When Hunter coached the Bombers in 2016, his team won eight straight games before the preliminary final against Bay Power. The Bombers led that knockout convincingly at half time, but the Power's second half surge sent his side tumbling out of the finals.

"It will be a tough game, and if we lose we could drop to third and face that elimination final, but the guys will be ready to go," Hunter said.

"Last week just didn't go to plan. Blokes were dropping marks they usually take and we hit the post four times. A similar thing happened in 2016 when we won seven or eight straight games then one bad half of footy sent us out.

"You learn a lot more from a loss and, after watching the video, we weren't really that far off (the Cats)."